The Impacts of Tourism on Local Community Wellbeing. A Case of Sukuma Ethnic Group in Mwanza Region, Tanzania

Joseph , Laurent (2015) The Impacts of Tourism on Local Community Wellbeing. A Case of Sukuma Ethnic Group in Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University Of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The study aimed at assessing tourism impacts on community wellbeing in Tanzania. Sukuma ethnic group in Mwanza Region was used as a case study. Specific, the study identified tourism activities undertaken by Sukuma people, sources of tourism impacts, assessed tourism impacts, and exploring strategies that minimize negative tourism impacts. The study used cross-sectional design which adopted qualitative and quantitative methods. A sample of 155 respondents was used where as 100 respondents were obtained by using simple random sampling, 50 respondents by snowball and 5 Mwanza City Council Officials picked purposive methods. The study used structured questionnaires, interview and focus group discussion for data collection. Descriptive analysis was used for quantitative data while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Based on survey responses, the findings show that the main tourism activities practiced by Sukuma people are traditional dances (96.7%) and arts and crafts (81.3%). Others are curio and gift shops (58.6%), tour guides (46.7%), selling local food (42%) and tour transport (36.7%).Positive socio-economic impacts of tourism in the study area include employment (mean score=2.83, SD=1.01), improved road infrastructure (mean score=2.67, SD=1.12), new business opportunities to Sukuma people (mean score=3.03, SD=0.97), increased opportunities for shopping (mean score=2.73, SD=0.96), improved income (mean score=2.75, SD=0.96), promoted investment (mean score=3.17, SD=0.99), increased demands of historical and cultural exhibition (mean score=3.19, SD=1.15).The negative socio-economic tourism impacts in the study area include change in traditional values (mean score=2.90, SD=1.15), increased price of goods in markets and shops (mean score=2.57, SD=1.17) and raised the cost of living of local people (mean score=2.67, SD=1.18). Positive environmental impacts of tourism are preservations of cultural heritage sites (2.96, SD=1.1). The negative environmental tourism impacts is pollution (mean score=3.17, SD=0.99). Policy makers are advised use the findings to review tourism policies so as to address sources of tourism impacts in the local community and adequately highlight strategies for addressing negative tourism impacts. Practitioners including relevant ministries, Mwanza City Council and NGOs must involve the community in decision making, planning and implementation of strategies for preservation of cultural heritage sites and in conservation of the environment and natural resources.

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